The Yamaha XS650 Engine

The Yamaha XS650 engine was introduced in 1969. After an exceptionally long production period of sixteen years, delivery of the XS650 was ceased in 1985 to make way for other engine designs.

Modelled after the British Triumph and BSA two cylinder engines, the XS650 was Yamaha's first 4 stroke engine.

The XS650 has proven to be a sturdy and dependable powerpack, and easy to maintain.
Her sturdy gearbox and overdesigned roller bearings make it relatively easy for the average "amateur" wrench to improve performance,
and the XS650 has built a reputation in all kind of motorcycle sports in the USA and Europe, from dirt track racing to sidecar motorcross.

Her sporty image, ease of maintenance, relatively low cost, and - most importantly - her good looks have made the XS650 very popular with Bobber and Chopper builders worldwide.

Yamaha XS650 Bobber Photo Albums

Here's an overview of the Yamaha XS650 Photo Albums on Nippon Bobbers:

Can a Japanese Engine Ever Be a Classic?

Many Harley Davidson fans won't agree.

And honestly, we can't believe that the endless succession of short lived Japanese motorcycle engine designs is fertile ground for classics.
They are too short lived, too easily replaced, and too easily forgotten.

Still, consider an engine that was discontinued in 1985 - and which more than twenty five years later still has a following of fans to keep it alive and roaring.

NIPPON BOBBER BOOKSHOP

Yamaha XS650 BOOKS etc.

Bobber and Chopper BOOKS

FOR THE LOVE OF MOTORCYCLES
This site is a fansite and not in any way affiliated with the Yamaha Corporation, the Honda Motor Co., or any other motorcycle manufacturer.
The names Yamaha, XS650, Honda and/or any other motorcycle names and/or types are only used for reference.
As true fans we encourage you to visit the official Yamaha Corporation
and Honda Motor Co. websites!

Terms of publicationYou are welcome to have the story and/or photographs of your Yamaha XS650 Bobber or Chopper motorcycle published on our sites, provided that the quality of such story and/or photographs is acceptable to us.
We will publish your story and/or photographs free of charge and if you like, we will even add a phone number, an email address or a link on the webpage, even if advertising is not the intention of our sites.
And if you sell the bike to one of our visitors, we will not charge you any commission.
However, please realize that to publish your story and/or photographs on our sites will cost us considerable time and effort.
Therefore, by making your text or photos or other material available to us you give us irrevocable and unconditional permission to publish such on our sites.
If at a later date you would like to have such removed from the website for any reason, including but not limited to any reason related to sale of the motorcycle or any part thereof,
a flat fee of US$150 per webpage will be charged to contribute in the cost and effort of preparation and publication.
Such webpage containing your text or photos or other material will only be removed after such fee has been received in full by the publisher.